On the heels of an amazing Super Bowl performance with Shakira, Jennifer Lopez broke the Internet, again. This time posting up a photo of herself on social media in a white bikini that showed off her amazing physique consisting of perfectly crafted abs and toned biceps.
âRelaxed and recharged,â the 50-year-old Hustlers actress wrote on February 16.
Of course, hundreds of thousands of people celebrated Jenny from the block and her ability to maintain the body after all these years and two children. Soon after, controversial fitness instructor, Maria Kang, founder of No Excuse Moms and the Belly Ball Co., encouraged mothers around the world to âown your story. Create your own accountability.â
Or dating a hot athlete (although my hubby is kinda cute!) BUT, it doesn't matter… ⣠⣠Own your story. Create your own accountability. Don't make excuses for your inaction. If she can do it, if I can do it, if thousands of working moms who come in all sizes, shapes and ages can do it – then YOU CAN DO IT!!!⣠Post your #bathroomselfie and tag 3 friends who can bring it like #jlo ⣠#jlochallenge #noexcusemom #whatsyourexcuse
Since Kangâs call to action, hundreds of mothers of all ages and sizes have shared their photos in the name of body positivity. While the moms may not have the body J-Lo has, they participated anyway, feeling that they are just as accountable and accepting of their bodies as they are in this moment.
follow the hashtags to see many beautiful strong women proud of their bodies. This is 32, a body that created 3 wonderful kids, that has gone through 1 c-section, appendicitis & emergency lacerated intestine from a horrible car accident. Exercise and being active has saved my life. Own your story. Create your own accountability. Don't make excuses for your inaction. If she can do it, if I can do it, if thousands of working moms who come in all sizes, shapes and ages can do it – then YOU CAN DO IT!!!⣠Post your #bathroomselfie and tag 3 friends who can bring it like #noexcusemom #whatsyourexcuse #nemuvaldetx #nemlove2020 #healthstartsathome #survivor #healthybodyhealthymind #swimsuit #confidenceisbeauty #uvaldetx #uvaldecounty #uvalde #texas #southtexas #hillcountrytexas #hillcountry #scars #mom #jlo
Not surprisingly, the media jumped on this story, with news outlets such as ABC, Cosmopolitan and Shape hailing it as âbody positivity.â
Now look, as a mother, I know the struggle attached to remaining responsible for yourself while being responsible for your children. While some women rise to the occasion with ease, others have the luxury of help and then there are women like me who lose themselves in motherhood. So anything that encourages women, especially those struggling in the mirror post-pregnancy, is important and necessary.
While I know others donât feel this is body positivity, I still applaud the #JLoChallenge, but even I can admit it still bothers me a bit. Even if this challenge includes everyone, why did it take a body that meets societyâs standardâs to spark it?
Earlier this month, Lizzo posted these pics of her thick and luscious thighs enjoying the sun on vacation in Brazil and Mexico. Yet, where were the hashtags and the praise? Where was all this same energy? Instead, the Internet, including celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels, dragged the three-time Grammy winner for filth.
If they arenât bothered by her twerks sessions, they are side-eyeing her loving her body enough to flaunt it. Oh and, God forbid she uses her voice to celebrate and support women who look like her or to talk her s#!t.
Why canât Lizzo be aspirational? Why isnât seeing a brown-skinned Black woman I can relate to and be affirmed by, enough? Yes, JLo is body goals for many, but Lizzoâs body is my reality and I get my life each time she decides to pop out. Life doesnât begin when you lose weight and achieve a Jlo body. Right now, Lizzo is living her best life, so why should I and women like me be forced to chase a dream when our reality is right here, paving the way for us?
Listen, plus-size women are not and have never been the âfat and frumpy girlsâ society has told us we have been. While the world and narrative are changing, itâs not because society has adjusted its lenses. Itâs because countless women like Lizzo, Gabi Gregg and even myself, have pushed back and demanded to be seen and heard. Not just as underdogs, or victims or some fat superwomen who are âbraveâ and âcourageous,â but as beautiful, accountable and aspirational role models.
âBeing body positive should be everyoneâs truth,â but that isnât quite our realityâŚyet. Truth is that body positivity makes room for all body types, ages, and ethnicities which is why both women are important to the movement. However, with over sixty percent of the female population is plus size, so celebrating bodies like Lizzoâs are especially important. Plus-size women deserve inclusion, they deserve to see themselves but that doesnât happen when we make Lizzoâs presence problematic while praising JLo.
As a woman who is fat, Black and over 40, I understand responsibility, and I appreciate both womenâs willingness to lead their tribe. Body acceptance is personal, it isnât specific to one body type, but it is easier to love your body when you donât have the masses standing against you telling you that one body has more value than yours.
So the next time that Lizzo posts another bikini pic, let’s rally around her too like y’all did with J-Lo, sparking a new challenge not just celebrating her body, but all of ours, whether that frame is thick and luscious, thin and sculpted or anything in-between.
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